Isle of Man

:For the native Isle of Man Cat, see Manx Cat.

Government

Main article: Politics of the Isle of Man

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Structure

The Isle of Man is a self-governing crown dependency. The head of state is currently HM The Queen, her title on the island is Lord of Mann. She is represented by the island's Lieutenant Governor. The United Kingdom is responsible for the island's defence and for representing the island in international forums, while the island's own parliament has competence over almost all domestic matters.

Related Topics:
Crown dependency - Head of state - HM The Queen - Lieutenant Governor - United Kingdom - Parliament

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The island's parliament is the Tynwald, which dates from around 979 A.D. Tynwald is a bicameral legislature, comprising the House of Keys (directly elected by universal suffrage) and the Legislative Council (consisting of indirectly elected and ex officio members). There is a Council of Ministers, which is headed by the Chief Minister, currently Donald Gelling.

Related Topics:
Tynwald - 979 - Bicameral - House of Keys - Legislative Council - Donald Gelling

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The island's system of government is currently under review — there are plans to transform the Legislative Council into a directly-elected chamber, echoing the push for reform in the UK's House of Lords..

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External relations

A common misconception exists that Mann forms part of the United Kingdom; under British law it does not, although the United Kingdom takes care of its external and defence affairs. The Isle of Man had a dispute with the European Court of Human Rights in the 1970s because it was reluctant to change its laws concerning birching (corporal punishment for male offenders). The law on sodomy (sexual relations between adult men) might have also led down this road had it not been changed in the early 1990s.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom - British law - European Court of Human Rights - Birching - Sodomy

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The Isle of Man holds neither membership nor associate membership of the European Union, and lies outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Nonetheless, Protocol Three of the treaty of accession of the United Kingdom permits trade without non-EU tariffs for Manx goods. In conjunction with the Customs and Excise agreement with the UK, this facilitates free trade with the UK. While Manx goods can be freely moved within the EEA, people, capital and services can not.

Related Topics:
European Union - European Economic Area

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There is no Manx citizenship. Manx people are classed as British citizens but those defined as Manx under Protocol Three have a special endorsement placed in their passports preventing them from freely living or working in EU states. This is anomalous in that the treaty establishing the EU (formerly EEC) clearly states that all citizens of member states will also be citizens of the EU. Travel to the Isle of Man is regulated by the local government laws. Visitors from countries who require a UK visa may also require a special Manx visa, obtainable from a British diplomatic mission. All non-Manx, including UK citizens, are required to obtain a work permit to take up employment on the Island.

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Politics

Most Manx politicians stand for election as independents rather than as representatives of political parties. Though political parties do exist, their influence is not nearly as strong as is the case in the United Kingdom. Consequently, much Manx legislation develops through consensus among the members of Tynwald, which contrasts with the much more adversarial nature of the UK parliament.

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One political party, Mec Vannin, advocates the establishment of a sovereign republic. A Manx Labour Party also exists, unaffiliated to the UK Labour Party. The island formerly had a Manx National Party and a Manx Communist party. There are Manx members in the Celtic League, a political pressure group that advocates greater co-operation between and political autonomy for the Celtic nations. The main political issues include the island's relationship with the finance sector, housing prices and shortages, and the Manx language. The vast majority of the members of the House of Keys are non-partisan (19), with two representatives from the Manx Labour Party and three from the Alliance for Progressive Government. The next scheduled election is in 2006.

Related Topics:
Mec Vannin - Republic - Manx Labour Party - Labour Party - Manx National Party - Celtic League - Celtic - Manx language - House of Keys - Alliance for Progressive Government - 2006

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